Kenneth Claesson Version (MTPKCV)

Overview

The Kenneth Claesson Version is a New Testament translation in Wichí Lhamtés Nocten, a language spoken by the Weenhayek people of Bolivia. The translation is named after Kenneth Claesson, a Swedish linguist associated with missionary work among the Wichí. [1] Bible portions in this language first became available around 1980, and the New Testament was completed between 1997 and 2006. [2] The Weenhayek experienced a major Pentecostal revival in 1971, and today approximately 90% identify as Christian, with Pentecostalism having been indigenized to incorporate traditional cultural expressions such as dance. [2]

Language and People

Wichí Lhamtés Nocten (ISO 639-3: mtp) is spoken by approximately 2,030 people in Argentina and Chile. [Glottolog: wich1262]

The language is also known as Weenhayek, Nocten, or Noctenes, and belongs to the Matacoan language family. [3] It is spoken primarily in the Tarija Department of southwestern Bolivia, in the area southwest of the Pilcomayo River and in the Cordillera de Pirapo, as well as by a small number of speakers in Argentina. [2] The name "Weenhayek" means "the different people." The language is officially recognized in the Bolivian constitution of 2009, but is considered endangered as Spanish increasingly dominates through formal education. [3] The Pentecostal Church of Sweden began working among the Wichí community in the early twentieth century, which contributed to the Christian majority among the Weenhayek population. [2]

References